The Biden administration’s decision to deny Secret Service protection to Nikki Haley amid Iranian threats raises serious security concerns.
At a Glance
- Nikki Haley has faced credible threats from Iranian-linked actors since 2021.
- The FBI informed Haley that she was on an Iranian “kill list.”
- Despite these threats, the Biden administration has denied her Secret Service protection.
- A former Pakistani citizen was charged in connection with the Iranian plot to target politicians, including Haley.
Iranian Threats and Government Response
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has faced serious threats from Iranian-linked individuals since 2021. According to sources, the FBI informed Haley that her involvement in U.N. activities had landed her on a “kill list” by Iranian actors. Despite her request for Secret Service protection, the Biden administration has refrained from granting it.
During her presidential campaign, Haley was warned by the FBI that Tehran was targeting her efforts. This increase in threats led her to appeal for protection from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in January 2024, after a series of alarming incidents, including a potential attacker at a New Hampshire rally and violent anti-Israel protests at other events.
Biden Admin Refused to Grant Nikki Haley Secret Service Protection Despite Iranian Threats https://t.co/S8tQ9gBMf8
— Daily Wire News (@DailyWireNews) September 9, 2024
Heightened Threat and Federal Response
The threats against Haley escalated with an Iranian-backed “murder-for-hire plot” uncovered in July 2024. Haley’s home in South Carolina was repeatedly targeted, and she has received multiple credible death threats. Despite the heightened danger, Haley’s requests for protection were met with silence from Secretary Mayorkas. This lack of response has drawn criticism from various corners.
“A source close to Haley told The Daily Wire that the former South Carolina governor was told in 2021 that Iran had placed her on a ‘kill list’ because of her work at the UN.”
In contrast, other former Trump officials such as Mike Pompeo, Brian Hook, John Bolton, and Robert O’Brien have already received government-provided security due to similar threats. The Candidate Protection Advisory Committee had voted in favor of granting Haley protection, but she never received a response from Mayorkas.
I end my campaign with the same words I began it from the Book of Joshua. I direct them to all Americans, but especially to so many of the women and girls out there who put their faith in our campaign.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For God… pic.twitter.com/XAwgOGzKdy
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 6, 2024
International Intrigue and Domestic Implications
In September 2024, a Pakistani citizen, Asif Merchant, was charged with attempting to hire a hitman to murder a prominent U.S. politician. The FBI revealed detailed planning and communication between Merchant and his Iranian handler. The plot, allegedly in retaliation for the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, included detailed logistics and assassination methods. Merchant provided information on Trump’s rally security, mentioning the 50% success rate of their assassination tactics.
“When I was running my presidential campaign the FBI had a separate hearing with me to let me know that Iran was influencing the election with our campaign to hurt me,” she said. “The murder-for-hire plot named me. That’s by Iran.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley highlighted a broader plot by Iran to assassinate other politicians, including President Biden and former President Donald Trump. These incidents underscore persistent national security concerns and the need to re-evaluate the government’s approach to providing protections for former political figures exposed to international threats.
Sources
1. Biden Admin Refused to Grant Nikki Haley Secret Service Protection Despite Iranian Threats
